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Posts: 466
| If both reels were priced equally, which one would you purchase? I'm specifically looking at the revo toro beast low profile 60 hs and the tranx 400 a . Looking to get a new reel for my trip to canada this year but don't want to drop a mint on something that's not going to last. Any opinions, recommendations, or experience with either? Thanks guys, happy hunting. |
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| Tranx and its not even close. Watch the video comparison and there is no question. Not to mention cold weather use. With the seals built into the Tranx there is less chance of freeze up both inside the reel, spool and line guide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La_i80k3xp4 |
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Posts: 815
Location: Waukee, IA | Go to a retailer and see which one you like the best. Which one fits your hand. Asking which is better is a Chevy vs Ford vs dodge question, everybody thinks they're an expert but it's personal opinion. |
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Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | tkuntz - 6/12/2017 10:04 PM
Go to a retailer and see which one you like the best. Which one fits your hand. Asking which is better is a Chevy vs Ford vs dodge question, everybody thinks they're an expert but it's personal opinion.
What he said. |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | He's a bit of a long winded pundit, but generally I agreed with most of his opinions with the exception of two things. One, he clearly doesn't understand the design of the drag system on the Beast. He kept referring to it as over designed or over built, but doesn't recognize the advantage, which is the fact that you can now free spool easily while under extreme pressure. And the other thing was he is really high on the Daiwa Lexus and while I have not used these reels I've worked on a bunch of them. A bunch. They don't hold up as well as Shimano for sure. Overall the new Tranx have some very nice and fairly new or exclusive design features for not a lot of money. So it seems like a good all around reel just probably does not offer the performance everyone was hoping for (smaller version of Tranx 500). |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | tkuntz - 6/12/2017 10:04 PM
Go to a retailer and see which one you like the best. Which one fits your hand. Asking which is better is a Chevy vs Ford vs dodge question, everybody thinks they're an expert but it's personal opinion.
Yes, much like choosing the best bow to shoot. |
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Posts: 132
| Used them both, love them both. Can't go wrong with either one. |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | What's the application? I have a tranx 300 and a toro S 60... I like both for different reasons. I don't have enough time on them to talk about durability. |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | I was dead set on picking up a Beast 50HS this year for smaller baits. Knew all about the Tranx coming out and honestly didnt care. Been 20 years since I used Shimano and everything since has been Abu. Played around with the 400 tranx at the shows and was very meh over it.
Then i threw one that someone had bought and everything changed instantly. Having a HG reel that is set up right (with proper power handle, dia. of turning radius etc) makes all the difference. I threw one for 2 minutes and my thought process changed instantly on the reel, feels very solid and is a nice size. I thought i was burning baits before and now I know the difference.
Needless to say i went with the tranx as the quality of Shimano is top notch (and thats not a knock on Abu as they are great too) as it gives me a super fast reel, good dependability (in the company, not the model as it just came out) and it was cheaper than the Beast. That being said I still throw a Toro Winch and Toro HS for other baits.
Put them both in your hands and see which feels right, then think about the application of the tool (high HIGH speed vs, overall use) and go from there.
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Posts: 466
| Went to bass pro yesterday to get the feel of both reels. They only had the tranx 300 in stock and it felt more like a bass reel. Is the 400 similar sized? I remember looking at them at the shows over the winter, but now that it is time to buck up I just want to double check. The beast feels better in hand at the store. And I've owned Chevys and fords so brand loyalty is something I don't concern myself with. Looking for the best buy at the 300 price point. |
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Posts: 273
| Howdy,
I can't speak to the new Tranx, however, I can say that as a lifelong Shimano guy I have never owned a Shimano muskie reel (Tranx included) that didn't eventually need some parts replaced. Thats not a slam on Shimano as they make a great reel, however, the bulletproof label they get is not without some limitations. For example, I couldn't tell you how many roller bearings I have replaced over the years.
Last season was my first using the Beast/Toro S line and I was really, really impressed. Great power, very far casts, smooth, etc. Not at all what I expected. So, while I have not used a Tranx 400 yet, I can say that if the Beast line was made by Shimano it would probably get better press and more benefit of the doubt.
This is not to say Abu is perfect either. A lot of their Revo line is still OEM and, model for model, I would say Shimano is still the leader of the pack as a whole. That said, I'll take Abu's customer service over Shimano's any day of the week.
While I love that tutorial video, it does seem unfairly down on the Abu. I've caught a lot of fish on mine and have yet to feel as though there are any design flaws that manifested themselves in the field. That may change of course over time since its still a new model.
Finally, Shimano is not without fault when it comes to questionable designs and decisions. For example, in 2012 when the dollar was low and the yen was high, they came out with the "NEW" Chronarch E and "NEW" Curado G line. In reality they took the old Curado E, repainted it white, and called it a Chronarch E. They did the same thing to the old Citica line, re-painted it green, and called it a Curado G.
Thats as bush league as it gets. As was the lack of anodizing on the Calcutta D, the single spool pin on the shaft, the elimination of the quick spool access that was standard on the JDM version, and the goofy plastic drag circle which, regardless of how they market it, was a cost cutting move plain and simple. If it really improved performance it would be on all of the new models since then.
So, while I still LOVE Shimano, they are not above being bush league at times too, their reputation just gives them a longer rope.
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 425
Location: MN | chasintails - 6/13/2017 9:03 AM
Went to bass pro yesterday to get the feel of both reels. They only had the tranx 300 in stock and it felt more like a bass reel. Is the 400 similar sized?
The 400 is more like the Beast or S. The guts of the 300 and 400 are the same though. The size difference is in the spool. |
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Posts: 735
Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | Sorry to pull away from the main point of the thread but this might help you make a decision too. I haven't got to play around with the new tranx at all and I was wondering how durable that lightweight power handle is? It looks very flimsy and cheap in photos. |
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Posts: 132
| Musky_Mo16 - 6/13/2017 11:57 AM
Sorry to pull away from the main point of the thread but this might help you make a decision too. I haven't got to play around with the new tranx at all and I was wondering how durable that lightweight power handle is? It looks very flimsy and cheap in photos.
Not flimsy at all. It's definitely light weight, but it feels very solid. |
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Posts: 466
| Thanks guys I appreciate all the feedback, keep it coming. It is amazing what we are willing to fork out in the name of quality. 300 to 400 dollars for a reel, 200 to 300 for a rod. 30 to 50 for a buck tail. Quality costs, so research and feedback are important to making educated decisions. |
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Posts: 7090
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | I have a Revo S (not a beast) and it's a nice reel. I have had through the years Morrums, C3s, C4s, the "anti-backlash" reel (that wasn't) and reels I cannot even remember the names of that Abu Garcia made. I just brought a 13 yr old 5500C3 Pro Rocket out of mothballs and it's a nice reel for small baits and topwaters.
All that being said, the Rocket sits on one of my rods in the rotation, on the others I have a 300TE, 2 400TEs, a Curado, a 400LJV as a backup and a 400A Tranx with a powerhandle. For what it is intended for (everything up to a double 9), after 5 days of use, this reel is the best and smoothest reel I have thrown (older Conquests being almost a tie {when they were a 400TE with a different housing], but at $579 currently, nods goes to the Tranx) to date.
But then again, MY PERSONAL FEELING (so the evil overlord doesnt delete me) is that dollar for dollar, I would go Shimano over Abu in the higher end reels any day. Now if you don't want to drop the larger $$$ on a reel, there are great Abu options, but a vs b, my experience will always lead me to say I would go Shimano.
In short, I would get the Tranx.
*caveat being it's NOT a double 10 reel, unless you are a glutton for punishment to yourself and the reel and really like giving your reel guy your money for repairs. |
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Posts: 101
| My experience- I blew up a Beast 61 in less then a season....that being said, my 2 Toro S's and other Beast 61 operated flawless. Pure fishing made good and replaced the blown up 61.
That being said, I have liquidated all my Abu stk with exception of 1 Beast. Being a lefty and having luck with Shimano's in the past.... I now have a fleet of Conquest 401's and Tranx's.... I didn't do well that empty feeling in my gut of Abu letting me down..
Close hold for now.... |
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Posts: 239
Location: Madison, WI | beast might be the best "backlasher friendly" reel ive tried. love it on my glider rod.
tranx 400hg has a ton of power for such a small reel and actually has slightly more line cap than the beast (just to show its not a "bass reel" as some have said). threw 12's with mine for a couple hrs the other night and it handled them great.
for my money...
i would go for the beast hs for gliders/jerks/spring baits/light baits.
i would go for the tranx 400hg for the rest |
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Posts: 273
| Howdy,
One thing to consider wether you are an Abu guy or a Shimano guy, is that parts inevitably break. Its just gonna happen eventually and, because everyone treats their reel differently, one person's experience can be wildly different than another person's.
For example, I baby my reels, do regular maintenance, use reel covers, and spread the mileage out over multiple reels each day to reduce wear and tear over time. Other people use the same reel all season and really work it.
Its been my experience that when a reel "blows up" its usually a singular part failure. It may be worm gear, pawl, roller bearing, spool shaft bending, etc. If its multiple parts its often a drive gear and pinion gear or some other combination of items.
Sometimes its a part failure and sometimes its user error (like engaging the reel on the cast). In almost all instances these are relatively inexpensive parts that at some point would have become maintenance items sooner or later. Once fixed, the reel is good as new.
This has been true for me on the Abu and Shimano reels that I have used over the years. Your mileage may vary.
Take care,
Ruddiger |
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | That is a pretty accurate assessment, and I usually only see major damage (multiple parts) if when the first part breaks and guys can tell something is not right yet they keep using the reel. If it's not working, making funny or grinding noises, or is suddenly harder to reel, set it down and get it apart or get it to someone who can. |
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Location: Ontario | We need Pikemaster to voice his opinion 
Richard, where are you?
I was disappointed with my Calcutta 401D and not overly impressed by Conquest 401
Would try Tranx 500 in lefty but Shimano is not interested in my business ...
So hallo ABU!
4 Beasts one full (2016) season 0 problems |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | I have a Beast 50hs, a Beast 60hs and a Toro S 60 and they have all been great for me. I have beat the crap out of the Beast 60 and Toro S 60, my fishing partner has really put a pounding on his Toro S 60, he uses it as a general use all purpose reel. No failures to report. Smooth casting. Nice reels... Oh, and as far as finding that big blade reel that has a decent mix of power while not being a slug, my Toro S 60 with the unbalanced power handle from my Beast, that thing pulls 10's NO problem, in my opinion.
My dad purchased a Tranx 400, it is smaller in hand then my Garcia 60's. Cant comment on how it operates, or durability. |
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Posts: 983
| This is absolutely a matter of personal preference.....I just dont feel comfortable with the Tranx in my hand...I have lexas Revo toro's have beast 60hs beast reg 60 and beast 50HS...Out of all these reels I find myself going to the beast 50HS a lot due to trying to change my grip to palming the reel instead of trigger grip just cant get enough into Hook sets with trigger grip and I think that is part of problem I am having getting Hooks into fish with Rubber..I have Lost 3-4 fish in last Month on rubber baits not getting hooks in...I feel so Much more comfortable trying to palm the 50 compared to the 60 and there not Much size difference honestly |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i remember being at AML the season the D came out, the Shimano guys were there from Japan. you could they were carrying the company burden and trying hard not to fall too much in-line ... the D is a Corvair and it ain't no TE or LJV or even B ... |
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Location: Ontario | jonnysled - 6/14/2017 4:22 PM
i remember being at AML the season the D came out, the Shimano guys were there from Japan. you could they were carrying the company burden and trying hard not to fall too much in-line ... the D is a Corvair and it ain't no TE or LJV or even B ...
Yeah, no kidding, sold my after first outing. |
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Posts: 1425
Location: St. Lawrence River | 25homes - 6/14/2017 9:37 AM
This is absolutely a matter of personal preference.....I just dont feel comfortable with the Tranx in my hand...I have lexas Revo toro's have beast 60hs beast reg 60 and beast 50HS...Out of all these reels I find myself going to the beast 50HS a lot due to trying to change my grip to palming the reel instead of trigger grip just cant get enough into Hook sets with trigger grip and I think that is part of problem I am having getting Hooks into fish with Rubber..I have Lost 3-4 fish in last Month on rubber baits not getting hooks in...I feel so Much more comfortable trying to palm the 50 compared to the 60 and there not Much size difference honestly
Try holding foregrip when fishing rubber?? |
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Toro beast or 400 tranx